HCPSS Highlights Its Telehealth Program for Elected Officials

November 19th, 2015

On Nov. 16, Congressman John Sarbanes, joined by Howard County Executive Allan Kittleman, visited Stevens Forest Elementary School to learn about HCPSS’ school-based wellness telemedicine program, which is offered in partnership with Howard County Health Department and the Howard County General Hospital. With an interest in location-based care, Sarbanes came to Howard County schools to see an established school-based telehealth care program in action.

Telehealth helps increase attendance and academic achievement by providing quality school-based care. Parents can miss less work time by calling into the virtual checkups, and children can miss less classroom instruction time by getting quick care directly in the school setting. In the inaugural year of the program last school year, 88 percent of students returned to class after their telehealth visit, compared to 75 percent prior to the program.

HCPSS is one of the first telemedicine programs to partner with community pediatric practices, enabling continuity of care by increasing students’ access to their primary care provider. Telehealth also supports students without health insurance or a medical provider.

Stevens Forest is one of six HCPSS elementary schools that participates in telemedicine as a core component of the Elementary School Model.

HCPSS has had several visitors from the region to learn from its telemedicine program and has shared findings with the American Academy of Pediatrics.